Meat mold



March 9 1926. y1,576,417

"i". DRuzBAcl-l um' non r11a. Ap1-11' 2s. 1924 ATTORNEY' INVENTOR Patented `Mar 9, 1926.

UNITED sTpEs THEODOR DRUZBACH, OF NEW DURHAM, NEW JERSEY.

MEAT MOLD.

Application 'filed April 26, 1924. Serial No. 709,288.

T0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, THEoDoR DRUZBAGH, a citizen Iof the United States,'and resident of New Durham, in the county of I-Iudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meat Molds, of which the` following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in meat molds, for .shaping meat, such as for instance hams for the slicing machine, the meat being boiled while in the molds.

The main object Iof the invention is to provide a simple and efficient meat Shaper and boiler, so constructed that the shaping operation necessitates but little effort on the part of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to produce a device of the type mentioned which is capable of manufacture on a commercial scale, or in other words one which is not so difficult to make as to be beyond the reasonable cost of such a contrivance.

fit-h these and other objects in view, which will more fully appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the combination, arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that many changes may be made in the size and proportion of the several parts and details of construction within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantage-s of the invention.

One of the many possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a meat Shaper and boiler, constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, on a larger scale.

In the drawings the numeral 11 indicates a metallic receptacle of any suitable configuration. In the case illustrated, the receptacle has the general contour of a ham. It is, however, obvious that it may be of any other configuration, according to the requirements. Into the receptacle its loosely a cover 12, provided with a handle 13, which facilitates handling of the same. Preferably, in the longitudinal center line of this cover and adjacent each end thereof, there is fixed by means of a pivot pin 14 to the upper face of the cover a segment-shaped member 15, provided with an upwardly projecting cam face 16, the said cam face extending on the arc of the circle, the centerlof which coincides with the respective pivot pin 14. Each cam face is provided with ratchet teeth 17, with which co-operates the wedge-shaped underedge 18 of a latch 19. Each latch is carried by a spindle 20, extending in vertical position slidably through a bearing member 21, fixed by screws 22, or otherwise, to the outer face of the receptacle 11. The latches project over the open top of the receptacle into the paths of the respective cams 16. Each of the spindles 2O carries upon its lower end a stop 23, and against this stop and the respective bearing member 21 abuts a spring 24, having a tendency to keep the latch in engagement with the respective cam 16. Each latch extends through a slotted projection 25 on the receptacle 11, to prevent its turning in the respective bearing member 21.

For the purpose of actuating the cams 16, any suitable tool may be employed. In the present case a wrench 26 is made use of, having a socket 27, fitting over an extension 28 of the pivot pins 14 and being provided with a lug 29, adapted to be seated in a bore 30 ina boss 31 on the segment shaped members 15.

The operation of this device is as follows: In order to remove the cover 12 from the receptacle 11, the cams 16 are swung around their pivot pins 14 in the proper direction for disengagement from the latches 19, and the latter swing around to clear the edge of the receptacle. The cover may thus be taken off the receptacle. A ham or piece of meat is then placed into the receptacle, after which the cover is taken hold of by the handle 13 and placed on top of the ham or meat, as the case may be. The cams 16 are swung around their pivot pins in the proper direction to bring vtheir ratchet teeth into engagement with the wedge-shaped underedge of the latches. Continuing then the movement of the cams, the latches ride over the ratchet teeth, the cover being forced downwards until the ham or meat hasbeen compressed to the desired degree. In boiling, water or steam enters vthe receptacle,

`may then be removed' and-the connjressedl ham or meat withdrawn from the receptacle.

The latches 19, being under the action ofthe' springs 24, are capable .of rising in case the cams have been moved nfurther than the ham is tobe compressedgfin;other words by mounting the latches resiliently upon the receptacle,r Athe ham or 'meat cannot bey compressed to a point' thatvould damage the saillie.`

From the' foregoing it'appears that the improved meat Shaper and boiler is simple in construction' Y and can be conveniently manipulated. Its cover can be Ddriven home and also' disengaged' from the receptacle wit-lrbut little effort;

lVhat I claim is A closure for a receptacle comprising a latch on a spindle, said Spindle being adapted to be rotatably mounted upon the receptacle whereby said latch is adapted to project over the open top of the receptacle in its operative position, said latch having a wedge-shaped underface7 a segment-shaped member adapted to be pivoted to the cover of the receptacle, said segment-shaped meinberhaving a cam provided with ratchet teeth for co-operation with said latch, whereby said cover isorced downwards into the receptacle as said wedge-shaped member is turned and said latch rides over the said ratchet teeth.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 5th'l day of June, A. D. 1923.

THEO DOB DllUZBACl-l. 

